hey all, so i was reading a thread a little while back with some talk about ukulele kits and saw that somebody had posted a link to the grizzly.com site that sells $25 uke building kits. sounded like project time for me.

since the price was right(right meaning cheap as), i bought two kits with thoughts of spraypainting them pretty colors and adding much glitter, strawberry scent, and rhinestones. but in the end decided to hack them up with a saw. my brother helped me out with the first few steps because he won't let me touch his bandsaw and belt sander.

UPDATE: made a video. if you want to see 2 cheap ukes played at once, here you go: http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5691

here are pictures from my project which i call 2kulele, frankenlele, or bastardlele. still can't decide on a name. perhaps you folks can come up with something better.

this is what comes in the kits:
http://puppy.corserdog.com/2kulele/Photo0267.jpg
http://puppy.corserdog.com/2kulele/Photo0268.jpg

chop chop with the bandsaw:
http://puppy.corserdog.com/2kulele/Photo0271.jpg

clamp and glue the necks:
http://puppy.corserdog.com/2kulele/Photo0281.jpg

russ_buss

09-19-2008, 08:55 AM

gluing the fretboard to the neck using jenga pieces:
http://puppy.corserdog.com/2kulele/Photo0287.jpg

gluing bridge X 2:
http://puppy.corserdog.com/2kulele/Photo0295.jpg

quick stop for indian food:
http://puppy.corserdog.com/2kulele/Photo0297.jpg

someone is bound to ask, "so how does it sound?". well, it sounds like a $25 uke x 2. not great, but not horrible. not terribly loud because of all the crap done to it. but the intonations just okay, i wouldn't dare play any higher than the 7th or 8th fret. all in all, it was a fun project and brought me back to the joy of arts and crafts time in grade school. i'll post a video of it when i can.

also, the bottom neck is strung with standard re-entrant tuning and the top neck is strung with low G.

thanks for reading!

seeso

09-19-2008, 09:51 AM

This is just awesome, Russ! :D So cool. I want it. I think 2kulele is a great name for it.

Hmm... reminds of the night I spent in Bangkok with Siamese twins.

Pete Howlett

09-19-2008, 09:52 AM

I very much like - I still haven't finished this:

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f352/ukulele_pete/NeckAssembly.jpg

russ_buss

09-19-2008, 09:54 AM

I very much like - I still haven't finished this:
that looks awesome!

hotnanas

09-19-2008, 09:56 AM

awesome russ! are there two different bodies or just one big body with two necks?

i can't wait for a video.

russ_buss

09-19-2008, 10:09 AM

awesome russ! are there two different bodies or just one big body with two necks?

i can't wait for a video.

two bodies chopped up and glued. i'll probably do a video today. "I'm Yours" anyone?

deach

09-19-2008, 10:12 AM

two bodies chopped up and glued. i'll probably do a video today. "I'm Yours" anyone?

Hey There Delilah is a good one. Wonder if there are tabs for it.

Guting

09-19-2008, 10:41 AM

lol !

deach

09-19-2008, 10:56 AM

That's pretty cool. There's only one good Indian restaurant around here. What did you order or was it a buffet?

Dominator

09-19-2008, 12:23 PM

Great job Russ. My first experiments into building was one of those Grizzly kits. Great job.

Pete, your double neck looks like it is going to be pretty sweet. Glad to see you are still around. Thought you may have moved out. I'm glad you didn't. You have so much to offer us all when it comes to building ukulele.

acabooe

09-19-2008, 12:36 PM

Really cool Russ,

Looks great, and it is good to hear that you are getting into building.
Can't wait to see what your next experiment is.
Aloha
Bob

FrankNoCal

09-19-2008, 12:42 PM

How many 40oz's did you go through during that project? Cuz I know I'd have to be drunk to come up with that. LOL!

russ_buss

09-19-2008, 12:47 PM

That's pretty cool. There's only one good Indian restaurant around here. What did you order or was it a buffet?

we went to a fancier indian joint on the nice side of town. there are tons of really good divey indian restaurants too.

Great job Russ. My first experiments into building was one of those Grizzly kits. Great job.

thanks Dominator! it was a lot of fun to do. was really surprised i didn't screw up the clear coat. just enough to look nice and even.

Really cool Russ,

Looks great, and it is good to hear that you are getting into building.
Can't wait to see what your next experiment is.
Aloha
Bob

thanks Bob! it's probably a one timer. just wanted something to look and laugh at. next project might be a coat rack or birdhouse.

How many 40oz's did you go through during that project? Cuz I know I'd have to be drunk to come up with that. LOL!

dude Frank, you know me way too well. get out of my head!:D

UkeNinja

09-19-2008, 03:06 PM

chop chop with the bandsaw:
http://puppy.corserdog.com/2kulele/Photo0271.jpg
My personal favorite! Argh that is cruel.

I still think you shouldn't give up on the rhinestones though. They will look real good with the natural wood. Perhaps a pair of cow horns below the bridge? This baby needs to be seen in action...

The Pete Howlett model is very nice as well with the cutback. What is the general opinion on keeping the next straight (in Russ' case, let's call it "keep it street") and putting them at a slight angle? Didn't those double guitars have straight necks as well?

This thread deserves a :nana:

hotnanas

09-20-2008, 02:37 AM

How about "Just the Two of Us"!

jjsdad

09-20-2008, 12:20 PM

I was soo busy at work this past week that I completely missed this post. I saw your video, but didn't even know you actually made the 2kulele. Thanks for posting this and documenting your process. Definitely an inspiration to us all!
:rock: :rock:

Nurdaben

09-20-2008, 04:26 PM

very nice. now you get to make a custom case for it =)

russ_buss

09-20-2008, 04:46 PM

I still think you shouldn't give up on the rhinestones though. They will look real good with the natural wood. Perhaps a pair of cow horns below the bridge? This baby needs to be seen in action...

you're totally right. it's never too late for rhinestones!

How about "Just the Two of Us"!

haha. that would be good. "ebony and ivory"?

I was soo busy at work this past week that I completely missed this post. I saw your video, but didn't even know you actually made the 2kulele. Thanks for posting this and documenting your process. Definitely an inspiration to us all!
:rock: :rock:

thanks, i have more photos of the process but wanted to keep it short and sweet. come over sometime to check out the 2kulele.

very nice. now you get to make a custom case for it =)

that very thought has been haunting me since i finished. how do i transport this monstrosity?:confused:

acabooe

09-20-2008, 06:52 PM

very nice. now you get to make a custom case for it =)

Can n e 1 say " really big gig bag" haha, just kidding.
Seriously though, does any one know how to make an Ukulele case?

I am making an Ukulele that is "a little different" and have no idea what I am gonna do for a case.

Aloha
Bob

thesoobz

09-21-2008, 11:37 AM

dude are you gonna make a vid playing that beast? HAha if so let us KNOW! haa

deach

09-21-2008, 12:01 PM

dude are you gonna make a vid playing that beast? HAha if so let us KNOW! haa

http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5691

Pete Howlett

09-22-2008, 09:39 AM

Love it, love it! Ye Ha....:rock:

drfrancov

01-10-2009, 06:27 PM

Russ,

How did you finish them?...Did you use lacquer?....Did you stain them?...The final result looks great...Can't wait to get my gryzzly kit...!st built ever!

russ_buss

01-10-2009, 06:41 PM

Russ,

How did you finish them?...Did you use lacquer?....Did you stain them?...The final result looks great...Can't wait to get my gryzzly kit...!st built ever!

i forget which brand, some spraycan lacquer from home depot. i didn't use any stain. have fun with your kit!

GrumpyOldMan

01-11-2009, 05:55 AM

Nice job! That's a great beast you've made, I love it.
Could I ask how you joined the two bodies together? I guess there is more to it than just butting up and glueing but imagine that if there is a solid piece of wood between the two it would make both halves quieter than a normal single uke.
One more quick question is about the bridge that came with the Grizzly kit. What are they made from. I bought a kit from Thomann in Germany and I'm sure it's a rebranded Grizzly but the bridge is a really nasty platic thing. I bought a nice Rosewood one to replace it but it's something I've never seen anyone mention before so was just wondering.
Cheers,
Ian.

russ_buss

01-14-2009, 07:01 AM

Nice job! That's a great beast you've made, I love it.
Could I ask how you joined the two bodies together? I guess there is more to it than just butting up and glueing but imagine that if there is a solid piece of wood between the two it would make both halves quieter than a normal single uke.
One more quick question is about the bridge that came with the Grizzly kit. What are they made from. I bought a kit from Thomann in Germany and I'm sure it's a rebranded Grizzly but the bridge is a really nasty platic thing. I bought a nice Rosewood one to replace it but it's something I've never seen anyone mention before so was just wondering.
Cheers,
Ian.

hi Ian,

yes, there is a piece of wood in the middle that holds the two halves together. you are right, it definitely affects the volume. the bridges that came with my kits are wood. have fun with your kit!

anomoly40

01-17-2009, 02:26 PM

Looks like it's time to turn that custom baby into a decent profit.
http://tinyurl.com/8hgk56
"Buy it now" for $1,550!